What do we Really Expect?

6/27/17                                       rebeccacreates2012@gmail.com

Reading for Wednesday  6/21/17 from the LGG teaching on being "Sold Out" Mark 10: 35-45 Soap is Mark 10:35-38.

A Painting by my wonderful husband, Timothy A. Smith,

Dear God,

I have read these verses and then I went back and I read more of the surrounding verses.  Just so I might be able to get a feel for where James and John were coming from...Not entirely sure, but I have some thoughts.  When I finally get to see you face to face maybe we can discuss it.



So James and John went to Jesus and talked to Him about sitting one at His right hand and one at His left.  Does this seem presumptuous?  I don't think so. I think they where feeling so grateful and loving toward Christ that they wanted to be close to Him and to serve with Him always.

But we can think this through a little differently because we, or at least some of us, have read the book. When Jesus says , "Ye know not what ye ask..."  Do they know that Christ will be beaten so severely that He will be basically unrecognizable? No I don't think so.  Because I honestly don't think that they, James and John, nor the rest of the disciples would want that fate.

I often think about just what Christ did for us, taking that beating, being treated so so horribly, being nailed to the cross, and so much more.  For me.  He loved me, that much.

And then when I became a parent I started thinking about this in a slightly different light.  What did God have to feel for us that He would have a Son born of an earthly women, watch Him grow and then watch Him be slaughtered as a lamb is slaughtered, except the lamb doesn't get a beating.

Am I one of the few that think about these things or do others as well?

S ~ 35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.

36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?

37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?

O ~ My initial observation is, they sure do think they are all that and then some.  But that is really not a very nice thought. So let's go a little deeper.  These two men really loved Jesus as did the rest of the disciples.  However they didn't yet know the whole picture.  They just were scratching the barest of the surface.

A~ So how do we apply this to ourselves? Do we at times think more of ourselves than we should.  I think we probably do. Is this a product of getting older? I hope not, but I can remember my mother and grandmother and my aunt.  As they got older they did get a bit more cantankerous then when they were younger.  I think Father I will work very hard to not let that become a primary part of my make up.  I find it difficult being in the presence of people who are always right. Ignorance and intolerance are two traits I have a great deal of difficulty  dealing with...oh I do believe I am ranting.  Father save me from Me! Please.

P ~ Father God, there are some days that are so long...I am busy and sometimes there is just to much busyness.  Help me Father to enjoy even the moments I do not find that pleasant to be pleasant.  I know it's all about attitude  and I pray for improvement,  I want to always be who and what you want me to be, I don't need to not need to be at the right or left of you, but please Father let me be at your feet, and perhaps washing them.  I ask this all in Jesus precious name....Amen